ARCTIC ANIMALS

Arctic garments stand out among indigenous clothing for the quantity and variety of animal materials used in their fabrication. In a land with few plant materials and an ever-demanding climate, northernmost cultures use every part of their catch for food, shelter, clothing, and spiritual life. Here are just a few of the materials we learned about while working with the Peary-MacMillen Arctic Museum's collection of garments made by the native Inuit people.

Taktu /Caribou

Several subspecies of Rangifer tarandus can be found across Europe, North America, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and Siberia. Coloration varies across subspecies; the socalled Peary caribou in the high arctic regions of Canada is nearly white. Caribou hair is twice as dense as that which grows on a seal, and is the choice for the coldest weather.

Nanuk/Polar Bear

The extraordinary qualities of Ursus maritimus are well known to indigenous people. From the black surface of their skin, which efficiently converts solar radiation to heat, to the hollow white guard hairs that trap air, polar bears are built for arctic survival.

Amaruq/Wolf

Long, thick guard hairs along with short, dense undercoat make the Canis lupus arctos a favorite fur for ruffs on hoods, which insulate around a wearer’s face. Wolverine (qavvik) and dog (qimmiq) have similar properties.

Tiriqaniak/Arctic Fox

The fur of the Arctic fox is also favored for ruffs and hats. To keep feet from freezing, arctic people placed fox belly fur inside their foot coverings, and women placed it beneath their breasts to help stay warm while breastfeeding.

Nattiq/Ringed seal and Ugjuk/Bearded seal

These two species of seal are the most ubiquitous in arctic sea environments. Sealskin clothing was worn by many Arctic people in Spring and Summer, as it is lighter than Caribou hide. Naturally water repellent due to its oiliness, sealskin is also breathable and idea for boots. Seal intestines are also used for gutskin garments.

All information is taken from Sinews of Survival: The Living Legacy of Inuit Clothing by Betty Kobayashi Issenman. UBC Press, Vancouver. 1997. P 32-36.